Former for paper string



June 22, 1943. s. E. REPASS 2,322,731

FORMER FOR PAPER STRING I Filed Aug. 30, 1941 ATTORNEVS Patented June 22, 1943 FORMER FOR PAPER STRING George E. Repass, Pawtucket, R. I., assignor to H & B American Machine Company, a corporation of Maine Application August 30, 1941, Serial No. 409,013

7 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of twisted paper string, twine or cord, and more particularly it relates to a novel forming device for paper twine machines for forming paper ribbon into a folded shape preliminary to the twist ing thereof. The invention is specifically directed to the forming device for a machine of the type illustrated in my copending patent application, Serial No. 409,014, entitled Automatic stop motion, filed August 30, 1941.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a forming device which will be so constructed and arranged that it will operate upon an initially fiat strip or ribbon of paper in a manner as to form therefrom a folded but untwisted paper strand wherein both side edges of th strip willbe folded inside of the resultant folded product and in which each outer edge will be disposed between two doubled-back portions of a fold or plait formed in the same edge portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forming device which will be so constructed and arranged as to first fold the longitudinal side edge portions of an initially flat strip or ribbon of paper upwardly and inwardly toward each other above the same face of the ribbon and then, as both edge portions are being progressively curled upwardly and laterally, the ribbon will be folded lengthwise along its middle and the in; turned side edges will be bent downwardly into th bottom of this middle fold and while being guided therein they will be caused to be bent outwardly and upwardly whereby the final disposition of each of said side edges will be between and contiguous with the narrow doubled-back portions of the first fold or plait formed in the material of which said side edge portion is composed. I A further object of the invention is the turning and guiding of the outer edge of each of the intumed side edge portions from th said middle fold into its ultimate position between and contiguous with two doubled-back portions of a fold in the same edge portion solely bysliding movement of said side edges upon the inner curved surface of the bottom of the folded strand as the strand is being advanced through the forming device with no backing support for the bottom of the folded shape.

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of a twisted folded cord or string of paper of six plies. I

Briefly, the foregoing desirable objects are achieved in a forming device of the type indicated above by the provision of a generally fun nel-shaped guide or chute having concaved tapering walls which converge toward th front of the device and define a longitudinal passage therethrough forming a tapered concaved guideway for supporting, guiding and folding the side edge portions of a web, strip or ribbon of paper in a manner whereby both longitudinal side edges of the paper strip will be disposed inside of the folded but untwisted strand as it issues from the device. The guideway has a relatively wide entrance section which is open at the top for a considerable extent forward and the side walls of this section progressively taper toward the front and curl upwardly and laterally toward each other and are joined together at an intermediate point to form a nozzle section which is closed at the top and extends forwardly to the delivery or exit end of the device. This nozzl section is obliquely disposed on the device and the tapering walls thereof converge whereby the guideway is constricted at the exit end. The concaved tapering side walls are smooth and continuous from one end of the guide to the other, and there is provided a longitudinal central rib which projects downwardly from the roof of the nozzle and forms an upright partition in the middle of the longitudinal passageway for cooperating with a slot in the front end portion of the bottom of the nozzle whereby the outer side edges of the ribbon will be turned downwardly and guided into the middle fold formed by said slot just before they strike said rib and as they are being curled laterally of the strip by the concaved side walls. In the preferred form of the invention, the slot extends lengthwise along the middle of the guideway and inwardly from the delivery or exit end of the nozzle section and the inner end of the slot terminates at a point slightly beyond the rear edge of the depending rib whereby the strip, as it passes through the guide, will be firstfolded along its middle by dropping down through the slot and then will be guided forwardly in this slot while being maintained in a generally U-shaped configuration without'a bottom support therefor as the side edges of the strip are being turned by the rib into the bottom of'the middle fold, the concave inner surfaces of which further bend and guide the outer side edges of the strip outwardly and upwardly to position them between the double-back portions of the first fold.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood. from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, and novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic side elevational sectional view of one embodiment of the invention shown in association with the feeding mechanism of a machine for making twisted paper string or twine from paper ribbon; v

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, substantially full size, looking down on the forming device represented in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the forming device represented in Fig. 2 but shown in' an inverted position;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view, on enlarged scale, of the forming device shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View through the nozzle section of the forming device shown in Fig. 5 and taken on the line 6-5 of the figure; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the folded paper ribbon after it emerges from the exit end of the forming device and just before being flattened and twisted. I

Referring first to Fig. 1, the feeding mechanism for the flat web, strip or ribbon of paper is substantially the same as that shown in my copending application above mentioned and consists of a large lower feeding roll l which is formed with a circumferential groove 1 I and positively driven in a suitable manner'by gearing (not shown). Mounted above the roll l0 and adapted to coact therewith is the upper feeding roll 1 I 2 which has a circumferential rib M for coacting with the groove H of the. lower roll ID in the normal operation of these rolls. The upper roll i2 preferably is arranged in a suitable manner for yielding movement toward and from the positively-driven lower roll [0 and is frictionally driven, such as for'example, by being mounted for free rotation on the outer end of the weighted pivotally arranged arm shown in the machine of my copending application above mentioned. The forming device I "of the present invention ispo'sitioned ahead of these rolls and delivers the folded paper strip l6 thereto. As the folded paper strip passes through the groove of the lower roll the -folds "of the stripemerging from the folder it are spread laterally and compacted together to provide a more solid crosssection by pressure from the upper roll I2 as 'itrests upon the lower roll Ill.

The strip or ribbon of paper 16 is drawn by the feeding rolls in and I2 from a suitable source of supply (not shown) and before reaching my novel forming device passes under the idler rollers ll and I8 which tension the ribbon and flex it against the top surface of the moistening roller 26, after which operation the wet ribbon the forming device I5 which is attached by means of a hinge 24 to a suitable support of the frame of the machine in a position ahead of the feeding rolls H] and 12 as shown.

The forming'device 15 in the embodiment selected for illustration comprises an elongated member composed of suit-able sheet material bent to provide a flat rear portion and a forwardly extending generally funnel-shaped portion 26. If desired, the device l5 may be molded in one piece from a suitable plastic. The rear portion 25 of the device is shown as forming one strap of the hinge 26 while a plate 21 pivotally mounted to the end of the portion 25 by a pin 28 forms the other strap of the hinge. The plate 21 is slotted as at 29 to permit it to be adjustably secured and positioned on a suitable stationary support member of the machine in proper relation to the feed rolls l0 and 52. A stop 40 depends from the underside of the device and engages the side of the stationary support on which the device is mounted to sustain the forming device l5 in its correct position for providing smooth delivery of the folded strip to rolls [0 and I2.

The tapering forward portion 25 is composed of two intercommunicat'ing guide sections, one being the rear open top chute section 39 and the other being the front nozzle section '3 l'. The concaved tapering side walls of the chute 30 and the nozzle 3! are smooth and continuous from one section tothe other, and these walls converge along the length of the device toward the front thereof to provide a tapering concaved guideway constricted at its exit end and extending longitudinally of portion 26 of the device for supporting, guiding and folding over the side edges of the paper ribbon as it progresses therethrough. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the concaved side walls of the chute 30 progressively curl upwardly and laterally and form a guideway which at its rear entrance end is relatively wide with an arcuate bottom and open at the top for a considerable extent forward where at an intermediate point 33 the concaved opposite side walls are joined together and provide from this point forward to the delivery or exit end the closed top nozzle section 3| due to the arched and bridging relationship of the outer ends of the concaved side walls of the device.

Depending from the roof of the nozzle-section 3] of the device is a central partition member 35, the opposite sides of which are flat and this partition projects straight downwardly from the top wall to longitudinally divide into halves the interior of the guideway. -The opposite sides of the partition are joined at their inner end by curved surfaces which merge with the curved inner surface of the roof portion of the nozzle at each side of the the partition. Thelower edge 36 of the member '35 is convexedly curved and curves downwardly in a progressively increasingcurve from the back end thereof toward the front or exit end opening of the device, the-curvature being such that the point of greatest convexity is disposed above and at the front or exit end of the narrow central slot '38 which is formed in the bottom of the nozzle section of the device.

The 'sl0t 38 extends longitudinally of the passageway and inwardly from the front edge of the bottom wall and the inner end of the slot terminates in the chute section 39 close, to the en trance of the nozzle section 31 at a point well back of the rearmost portion of the partition member 35 as is shown in Fig. 5.

As the flat paper ribbon enters the former and passes lengthwise therethrough after it has been moistened by the moistening roller 20 the side edges of the ribbon are first caused to be curled upwardly and laterally over the body of the rib bon with the edge portions folded inwardly toward each other to form a generally tube-like cross sectional configuration as the strip progresses through the chute portion 30.

During the further forward movement of this tube-like increment of the ribbons along the guideway the ribbon is folded lengthwise along its middle into a U-shaped formation by the side edges of the slot 38 into which the ribbon is drawn as it leaves the chute section 30 and just before it is acted upon by the partition 35 as it enters the nozzle section 3|. During further progress of the ribbon along the nozzle toward its exit end the folded U-shaped ribbon is maintained substantially upright in the slot 38 with the lower portion of the ribbon projecting outwardly through the slot 38 and disposed exteriorly of the device. While the ribbon is thus guided by the slot the laterally bent side edges of the ribbon follow the curve of the inner surfaces of the roof portion of the nozzle and engage and are deflected downwardly by the sides of the upright partition member 35 into the bottom of the middle fold, the curved sides and bottom of which turn the outer side edges of the folded ribbon outwardly and upwardly to position them inside of the first or top fold of the sides of the U-shaped formation.

Upon leaving the forming device IS, the folded paper ribbon has its folds compressed laterally by passage between the rollers l and I 2 as above mentioned after which the folded compressed strand is subjected to a twisting operation by means of any of the common twisting and winding mechanisms well known in the textile art, such as by means of a ring traveler (not shown) or by a flyer (not shown) whereby the strand is twisted as it is being wound upon a suitable receiver.

I'claim:

1. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting comprising a generally funnel-shaped guide including a front nozzle and having tapered concaved side walls forming a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, means for guiding and folding the bottom of said folded strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without support therefor as the folded strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means coacting with the said last-named folding means for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first mold of each of said edges.

2. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting comprising a generally funnel-shaped guide including a front nozzle and having tapered concaved side walls forming a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, the bottom of said nozzle portion being formed with a slotted opening extending longitudinally inwardly from the exit end of said nozzle for guiding and folding the bottom of said folded strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain such resulting shape of said bottom fold with no support beneath the same as the folded strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means coacting with the said last-named folding means for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each of said edges.

3. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting comprising. a generally funnel-shaped guide including a front nozzle and having tapered concaved side walls forming a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, the bottom of said nozzle portion being slotted for guiding and folding the bottom of said folded strip lengthwise along its middleand to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without support therefor as the folded strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means coacting with said bottom slot for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each of said edges.

4. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting comprising a generally funnel-shaped guide including a front nozzle and having tapered concaved side walls forming a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, the bottom of said nozzle being slotted for guiding and folding the bottom of said folded strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without support therefor as the folded strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means within said nozzle longitudinally dividing said guideway into two parts and so arranged as to coact with said bottom slot for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each of said edges.

5. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting, comprising an elongated guide member having concaved Walls which taper longitudinally and converge to form a constricted discharge opening at the front of the guide and to present a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the longitudinal side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, said guideway being relatively wide at its entrance portion and open at its top for a considerable extent forwardly to form a rear chute section the opposite longitudinal sides of which progressively curl upwardly and laterally and at an intermediate point forwardly they meet to form a front nozzle section having a closed top for the remainder of the forward extent of said guide, the bottom of said nozzle section being slotted lengthwise along its middle for receiving, guiding and folding the bottom of said curled strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without support therefor as the strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means within said nozzle longitudinally dividing said guideway into halves and so arranged as to coact with said bottom 'slot for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent first outwardly and then upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each of said edges.

6. A device for forming a paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting, comprising an elongated guide member having concaved walls which taper longitudinally and converge to form a constricted discharge opening at the front of the guide and to present a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the longitudinal side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them opposite each other above the body of the strip, said guideway being relatively wide at its entrance portion and open at its top for a considerable extent forwardly to form a rear chute section the :opposite longitudinal sides of which progressively curl upwardly and laterally and at an intermediate point forwardly they meet to form a front nozzle section having a closed top for the remainder of the forward extent of said guide, the bottom of said chute section being concaved and the bottom of said nozzle section being formed with a slot extending longitudinally inwardly from said discharge opening for the complete length of the nozzle, said slot terminating in the chute section near the entrance of the nozzle section, said slot acting to guid and fold the bottom of said curled strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without support therefor as the strip advances through said nozzle section, and a partition member depending from the roof of said nozzle section longitudinally dividing the guideway thereof into halves, said partition member having fiat opposite sides and a convexedly curved free lower edge disposed above and arranged so as to coact with said bottom slot for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner, surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each'of said edges of the strip.

7. In a machine for making twisted string and the like from paper in ribbon or strip. form having means for feeding the paper strip and means for moistening said strip, a folder device for formr ing the moistened paper strip into a folded shape preparatory for twisting, comprising a generally funnel-shaped guide including a. front nozzle and having tapered concaved side walls forming a tapered concaved guideway extending therethrough for guiding and curling the side edges of a paper strip upwardly and laterally to dispose them op-. posite each other above the body of the strip, the bottom of said nozzle portion being slotted for guiding and folding the bottom of said folded strip lengthwise along its middle and to maintain the resulting shape of said bottom fold without sup port therefor as the folded strip advances along said guideway through the nozzle, and means coacting with said bottom slot for folding the laterally bent side edges into the bottom of said middle fold and causing them to be bent outwardly and upwardly by the inner surface thereof to be ultimately disposed inside the first fold of each of said edges.

GEORGE E. REPASS. 

